aaronwrixon.com

feels really good to be posting this after such a long drought.

when i die, won’t you bury me
when i die, won’t you bury me
when i die, won’t you bury me
next to my sweet Violet in the back country?

i met her long ago
i met my girl long ago
i met her long ago
on the bank of the Rappahannock in the falling snow

i knew then, that winter’s day
i knew it then like i do today
i knew then, that winter’s day
my love for her would never fade away

but they called me off to war
yes they called me off to war
and they called me off to war
i set sail and left her on the shore

and i saw so many things
so many black and brutal things
yes i saw so many things
i learned of the horror evil brings

but notes from her, they got me through
letters from her, they got me through
notes from her, they got me through
and i survived the darkness that men do

i came home but she was gone
when i came home, she was gone
i came home and she was gone
God had called her name and led her on

every letter i received
every single letter i received
every letter i received
written by her sister as she grieved

she had known i would have died
she must have known i would have died
she had known i would have died
without the thought of Violet by my side

so she signed her sister’s name
sixty-one times — her sister’s name
yes she signed her sister’s name
because she’s grown to care for me the same

but i can not forget my love
my sweet violet… i could never, my love
i can not forget my love
looking down from heaven up above

so i think that i will go
yes i think that i will go
i am sure that i will go
to the bank of the Rappahannock in the falling snow

when i die, won’t you bury me
when i die, won’t you bury me
when i die, won’t you bury me
next to my sweet Violet in the back country?

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when your head hits the pillow at night
and sleep sets your wishes free
listen for me on the evening breeze
i’ll be there at your window pane
watching over you as you breathe
keeping monsters from your gentle dreams

there might come a day when you’re older
you won’t need me over your shoulder
until then… call me when the wind blows colder

i’ll be on my way
on my way
i’ll be on my way
night or day

when the walls come crashing down
and you can’t see for tears in your eyes
look for me - i’ll be there by your side
i’ll make a place for you in my heart
where you can curl into a ball and hide
safe from all the wickedness and lies

there might come a day when you’re older
you won’t need me over your shoulder
until then… call me when the wind blows colder

i’ll be on my way
on my way
i’ll be on my way
night or day

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hey, what’s your name?
hey, where do you come from?
hey, do you wanna
get your things and go?

hey, who cuts your hair?
hey, who’d you show up with?
hey, do you wanna
get your things and go?

don’t want to put you on the spot
but i’m such a curious guy
you seem pretty open so i figured i would give it a shot
don’t hate me for trying to try

hey, how tall are you?
hey, what are you drinking?
hey, do you wanna
get your things and go?

don’t want to put you on the spot
but i’m such an impatient guy
life is short we need to make the most of ev’ry second that we’ve got
we’re wasting our time acting shy

hey, your place or mine?
hey, why are you leaving?
hey, don’t you wanna
get your things and go?

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hello allison
where do i begin?
how about with an apology?
i’m sorry for the way things ended
i swam deeper than i intended
and when i’d gotten over my head
i left you to drown instead

but you’re still a part of me
you’re still at the heart of me
alison my dear

hello catherine
i guess my charm wore thin, didn’t it?
so much for your psychology
looking back, the worst thing about you
was how i wouldn’t have dared to doubt you
until it was all too late
if that was your plan, it worked out great

but you’re still a part of me
you’re still at the heart of me
catherine my dear

hello madeleine
i’ve forgotten how long it’s been
you’re part of my mythology
i don’t know where the road may lead to
but it’s nice to think that if i need to
i can call on you and you’ll be there
you gotta hang on to the ones who care

you’re still a part of me
you’re still at the heart of me
you were there at the start of me
madeleine my dear

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This epic bad boy from Love and Marine Biology clocks in at over seven minutes long.

The first section — the part before the endless repetition of “It’ll work out / It’s gotta work out” — lasts much longer, of course, than 34 seconds… But it sure doesn’t feel that way.

Sunlight, I need a little help.
Can you shine on me another day?
Sunlight, I’ve got a favor to ask.
I need one more day to be with her by her side.
All I need’s another day!

It’ll work out. I’ve got a feeling that it’ll work out.
It would be sad if things didn’t work out.
Someday soon we’ll be together.

Sunlight! Are you listening to me?
I don’t want much. All I need I can get
from her loving kiss.

It’ll work out. I’ve got a feeling that it’ll work out.
It would be sad if things didn’t work out.
Someday soon we’ll be together.

It’ll work out. It’s got to work out.
It’ll work out. It’s got to work out.
It’ll work out. It’s got to work out.
It’ll work out. It’s got to work out.

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What do they say in the movies? This one from Love and Marine Biology was “based on true events”.

Or at least the first sentence was.

I went down to Stanley Park.
I saw the snow on the mountains,
but as I looked out on the dirty harbor
I couldn’t help but think,
“Which way to the ocean?”

I visited the tanks.
I saw the whales and the dolphins,
but as I looked into the eyes of the biggest one,
I thought I heard her say,
“Which way to the ocean? Which way to the ocean?

I want to swim up to Alaska.
I want to play in the Sea of Japan,
and now it looks like I might never get the chance again.”

I knew what to do.
I dove in on a mission,
and as I swung the gate wide open
I swam aside and said,
“This way to the ocean. This way to the ocean!”

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In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s “Your Heart and Mine,” from Love and Marine Biology.

“Cupid’s laughing his last one on me” — my favorite line on the album.

Forgive the intrusion, but I’ve reached a conclusion.
I’m alleging collusion between your heart and mine.
I was minding my business when your heart the temptress
came dressed up in sweetness, and mine fell into line.
Then all of sudden everything changed.
My common sense up and left me alone.
My priorities somehow got rearranged.
It was like my heart had a mind of its own.
There’s no explanation for my tribulation
but premeditation between your heart and mine.
Then all of sudden everything changed.
Your heart pulled a fast one on me.
My priorities somehow got rearranged.
Cupid’s laughing his last one on me.
There’s no explanation for my tribulation
but premeditation between your heart and mine.

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 This song from Love and Marine Biology is so codependent that I feel like I should license it to Al-Anon.

I’ve always liked the wordplay — especially the fact that I worked allusions to Shakespeare and Iggy and the Stooges into the same song — but it hurts me to read it.

I try and try and try to make you love me.
I sacrifice without a second thought.
I tell myself you’re thinking fondly of me,
even though I know you’re probably not.

I labor sadly unappreciated,
doing things I know I shouldn’t do,
but until my inner masochist is sated
I’d prefer to get my punishment from you.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be a pity-hog.
Truth is I’m happy when I’m down.
I want to be your stooge, I want to be your dog.
Don’t hesitate to throw my heart around.

I’d profess my love from atop the highest hill.
I’d write your name up in the sky.
I’d recite “What light?” beneath your windowsill:
anything, my girl, to catch your eye.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be a pity-hog.
Truth is I’m happy when I’m down.
I want to be your stooge, I want to be your dog.
Don’t hesitate to throw my heart around.
Feel free to spread the word all over town:
I’m at my happiest when I’m down.

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Directly influenced by the Band’s version of Bob Dylan’s ”I Shall Be Released”.

So much so that you can actually hear the song playing in one of the home demos I did before putting this song on Love and Marine Biology.

You know what they say — talent borrows, genius steals.

Meaning I must be a pretty big fucking genius.

The baby’s growing up so fast.
Pretty soon I won’t even know her.
She looks so far away through the glass.
Maybe could you send me a picture?
Come on Carmen… Pull it together.
You’ve got to try to hang on.
I talked to the warden. He said my behavior
will have me out before long.
I’ll be home before long.
There’s something you should know about:
I got another letter from Schaeffer.
He’s got a job for me when I’m out,
and this one is supposed to be safer.
It’s good money, and not too much danger,
and this time I won’t get caught.
Come on honey… You have to remember:
This is all I’ve got.
Schaeffer’s all I’ve got.
I can’t handle the straight life.
I ain’t smart like you.
I don’t like it any more than you do, babe,
but it’s all I know how to do.
This is what I do.
I’m no good for the straight life.
I ain’t smart like you.
I don’t like it any more than you do, girl,
but it’s all I know how to do.
This is what I do.
The baby’s growing up so fast…

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This one, from Love and Marine Biology, is called “Lover, I’m Waiting.”

Mostly because that sounds so much more poetic than “Lover, Please Stop Cheating on Your Husband and Get a Divorce and Be With Me So We Can Go Grocery Shopping Together”. Poetry is in the details.

Love, don’t stay long in his arms,
’cause my heart’s full to breaking
and I’m waiting for you.
Love, don’t fall prey to his charms,
’cause I’m here for the taking.
I’m waiting for you.
It’s hard to let go when you’re scared of the future
and what the future has in store.
God knows I’m so unprepared for the future,
but I’m ready for the future if you are.
Love, don’t you be too alarmed.
It’s a tough choice you’re making
but I’m waiting for you.
I’m waiting for you.

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